Gc 977„701 L99h 1758080 ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY M.l. 3 1833 01081 4066 REYNOLDS Hi^TORIPAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION Go Please check index in back pocket after each use Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center http://www.archive.org/details/historicalsketchOOhyde HTSTOBT<-,AT. SKETOTT LiiaLCDusTi, iowa; AK0 A DESCRIPTION OF TIIB COUNTRY kW ITS RESOURCES; OrVTKG IXrORMATION WITH REGARD TO THE INDUCEMENT* WniCU IT OFFERS TO IMMIGRANTS AND OTHERS DESIRING TO SETTLE IN THE NORTHWEST. J* "Homes, Fortunes y Health and Happinett for alV rCBT.IBHBD BT AUTHORITT OF COUNTT BoARD OF SUPERTISOIIS BY S. C. HXHE. SIOUX CITY, IOWA : PEKEINS BROS. J PRINTERS AND BINDER*. 1873. DRAWN BY S. C. HYDE. -" Iron/ >)ntci/iiiii/il .Siirveiw J,S'7,'f. IFOI^ 1873. COCKTY AUDITOR, CHARLES E. GOETZ Bcloit, Lyon Coxtnty, Iowa COUNTY TREASUUEP., JAMES n. WAGNER,. Uoovi, Lyon County, loica CLERK OF IIIE DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COURTS, HARMON COOK Doon, Lyon County, Loxca SHERIFF, MOSES NIXON Boon, Lyon County, lotsa COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, L. A. BALL , WiUida, Lyon County, Loxca COUNTY RECORDER C. H. SOGN Beloit, Lyon County, loxca COUNTY SURVEYOR ETHAN ALLEN" Jiock fiopids, Lyon Cotmty, loxca COUNTY HOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CHAS. IT JOIIXSON Eitrncst, L.>/on County, Loica H. T. PIKLGKPvSON , f^yon County, Iowa F. \V. ALLEN Wiilida, Lyon Couaty, Lowa ^ ^7— -r OFFICIAL DIRECTORY ' IFOE- 1872. 1'*'''>S080 COUNTY AUDITOR, I CHARLES E. GOETZ Leloit, Lyon County, Loxca | COUNTY TREASURER, | JAMES H. WAGNER LJoov, Lyon County, Loxca j CI,KI;K OF IHE DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COUE.TS, t D. C. WIIITEHEAL), llocJ: llcqmh, Lxjon Comity, Loxca ■ SHERIFF, I T, W. JOHNSON Lamest, Lyon Coxmty, Lotoa • COUNTY SUPEUINTKNDENT OF SCHOOLS, f L. A. BALL Wiilida, Lyon County, Lowa i COUNTY RECORDER, | THOMAS THOFvSOX Beloit, Lyon Coxinty, loxca \ COUNTY SURVEYOR, j 'ETHAN ALLEN Llock Rapids, Lyon Coxinty, Lowa { COUNTY HOARD OF SUPERVISORS, i J. S. HOWEf.L, Ch;iirm:in, Bock Eapids, Lxjon Co., Loica j CHAS. a. .JOHNSON Earnest, Lyon County, Loxca \ II. T. HELGERSON Beloit, Lyon County, Loxca 'y.' ^E;E:fjloe, The citizens of Lyon County have lon^ felt that its beauty and natural resources were little known. They have also felt that the crrowth and development of the county and the interests of immigrants and capitalists seek- ing locations in the West, might be promoted by adopting some means for making known the character of the country. It has also been thought that some effort should be made to preserve the memory of the early settlers of the county, who have perilled their lives in the wilderness and endured great hardships and privations to lay the foundations of the county, and to make some record of events in its early his- tory, which would otherwise pass into oblivion when this day and generation have gone. . Accordingly, the Board of Supervisors of Lyon County ordered the publication of a pamphlet,to be devoted to these objects. One of the early settlers of the county, who is well acquainted with the countiv, was appointed to write the pamphlet, and the following pages are the result of that action. The writer is indebted to Dr. John K. Cook, of Sioux City, Iowa, and lion. Charles Negus, of Fairfield, Iowa, for valuable information concerning the early history. There- port of Dr. C. A. White, State Geologist, and the sketch of Iowa by lion, A. R. Fulton, Secretary Iowa Board of Immi- gration, have also greatly assisted in the preparation of tliis pamphlet. The aim has been to give a brief sketch of the early history of the county. Also, to give a truthful description of the country, and such a statement of facta aa will give to all who may desire to seek new homes in the rppj^ .^"- ,.,^,— ..^.,-^-^.-^.^. -,~-^ -..^ p. PREFACE. West, a correct idea of the superior inducements which our joung county offers. That these objects may be attained, and many induced j to settle within our borders and share the advantages and ] blessings which await all who will make homes among us, is the earnest desire of I THE WRITER. • I . 'W^ \f LYON COUNTY, IOWA. Lyon County, foiRiinq; the northwest corner of the State of Iowa, is boun»Je(J on the north by the State of Minnesota, west by the Big Sioux River, which separates it from Dakota Territory; on the south by Sioux County, and by Osceola on the east. These limits embrace a beautiful region of cou:.try, extending 3T miles in length east and west, and about 17 niiks in width, containing about 575 Bquare miles, or 3GS,000 ucres. The altitude of this countj is about 1,40(J feet above sea level, and it lies east of the middle of the United States. EARLY HISTORY. Prior to the year 1S51, tlie territory embraced within tho present limits of Lyon county had never been designated by any particular name. And the vast region of country comprising Nurlhwestern Iowa was almost entirely un- known. The General Assembly of Iowa, by act approved January l-J, 1S51, created the county of Buncombe, com- prising what is now Lyon County. The follu'.viug circum stances jjave rise to this sin^fular name: Tho Legislature which convened in 1851 was c:im- posed of a large majoiity favoring stringent eoi-poration laws, and the liability of individual stockliolders for corpor- ate debts. This sentiment in the Legislature, on account of the agitation of railroad enterprises, then beginning brought a large num!)ei of prominent men to the capital. To Iiave an e(Tect on the Gei-eral Assembly, they organiz'-'d a lobby legi^^lature, in which these questions were ably discussed. They elected as Governor, Verplank Van Ant- werp, who delivered to this self-constituted body a lengthy message, in wiiich he sharplv criticised the rerrular Legis- lature. Some of the members of the latter body were in the habit of making long and useless speeches, much to tho hindrance of business. To these be especially referred, charging them with speaking for buncombe, and recom- mended that as their lustinsr momorial, a countv should / ••- J' ,7 /• .■ .1. / i'J 1 ij, . ■■'/ ■...! J,K . .I.-.', u (■ '• .. • '! 1. MU -.■r.-M ■ i.jf. v3 .'.iC ,1 •■ !' ' 1 .;iv/o-fji ^ -.IT Hi! .1 • IM "l HISTORY OF LTON COUNTY. -^. be called Buncombe. This sug"g-cstif)n was readily seized * upon by the regular Logislature, and the couaty of Bua- ' eombc was created with few dissentini:;' votes. { By act of the General Assembly, approved .Taniiarv 12tli 1 185.3, Buncombe County, with several others, was artaehed \ to the county of Wahkaw. for judicial and revenue nur- i poses. Tlie same Assembly, by act approved .Tanuarv 12th, \ provided for the organization of Wahkaw, which had been | created in 1851, and by anotlicr act, approved at the same date, chansred the name of ^Vahkaw to that of Woodluiry. | Buncombe remaip.ed under the jurisdiction of A^^oodbury j County, until its ors rising one above unci her from the ground. In other places circles have been formed of huge blocks of Sioux qnarlEite rock. Ornaments of copper, vessels of pottery, pipes aiid pieces of curious work- manship, cut out of the famous pipe-stone, liave been found upon these grounds. Not having the appearance of works of defense, habitation, or burinl places, they must have been devoted to athletic feats, public game8,and religious ex- ercises. On the north bank of the creek nre the remains of lon^ lines of redo\d)t8 and breastworks, having tl-e appearance of an old fortification. Their village, or camping-ground, wa« ■itunted a pjiort distance to the sotithward. These have been the loved nnd conpecraied grounds ol the YHiiktons from time immemorial. Here, in one com- iPOii family, tliese children of nature met to Tror?hiy> the Great Spirit. And here they b.-ide farewell to tlieir happy hunting-grounds, and departed forever. ..,JT HISTORY OF I.TOX COUNXr. EARLY SETTLEMENT. Although the Indians relinqnislicd all claim to their lands in Iowa in 1S51, and stipulated to remove at once to their reservation on the Upper Missouri, they were loth to leave their favorite huntitirr grounds, and did not take their final departure until 18G9. t^ume lingered around tlioir •old council fires, and others returned on iVequeut iiuntin"- ex- cursions. With the exception of a fcv/ families at Sioux City, no settlement had vet been made in Northwestern Iowa, and the country was little known except to Indian traders, hun- ters and explorers, for many years. In 1854, Dr. John K. Cook began the Government surveys, and the same vear laid out tlie town of Sioux City. In 1855 the United States Land OfTice was opened at Sioux City, and on the 11th of September of the same year. x\!cxandcr Anderson, United States Deputy Surve3'or, completed the field survey's for the south tier of townshii)s in Lyon Countv. The remainder of the surveys were completed the two following years hy d;ff(»reiit Linitcd States deputy surveyors. Tlie abundance of game ami fur-bearing animals "soon brought several parties of hunters to the Ixock and Sioux rivers, who were joint occupants, with the Sioux, of Lvon County for several years. An account, if possible, of the adventures and liair- breadtli escapes of these hardy men would form an interesting chapter in the history of Lyon County. Among the most noted of these adventurers was Daniel McLaren. " L'nele Dan" had his cal)in at the nmuth of a sparkling creek, which now bears his name, on tiie east Ijank of the Sioux. He was fortunate enough to keep his scalp from failinr^ into possession of tlu) Yanlctons. and always had his store- house well filled with buffalo, elk, deer and beaver skins. After the county began to settle. hiush, mid joined Claik at their eanij).- 'Jhey feared to move for several days, but finally returned to the scene of their eiv eounler witii the Indians, but Could fhjd nO traces of |:0or McGrejror. Notwithstanding the shock jiroduced by the loss of their eoinpanior\, l.eekhart and Claik decided to remain and contest with tiie savages the right to hunt on tivcse 10 niSTOr.Y OF LTON COUNTY. grounds. Tlicy were i,ot, liowcvcr, molested again, and continued llicir buntira: "vvitli great success until spring. \Tlieir cabin was fitted up ^vith nnicb taste, being lined on ■ the inside with avcU tkins, and became a i'avcrite resort for Luiilcrs tbroiigliout tliis region. Tbc t%vo companions bad Jjarcly rc<.-ovcred f;om tbe plocm caused by tbe doatli of Mc- Grcgt'T when ar.othcr calr.ir.itv Ijcfcl *bcm more crumbing, if posfcibli^ tban lii.s tragical dcalb. Tbe island upon Avbicb tbe cabin stood was very low-; but as tbe river was also low at tbe time of building it, tlicy 1 ad no tbougbt of a flood. Early in March tbe wcatlier became warm, tbc snow molted, and as tbe river began to rise, Lockbart and C^Jlark felt some uneasiness lest tbe water 8houlJ come into tbcir cabin. A heavy rain came on, and the river continued to rise, until as tliey bad prepaicd to retire, one evening, tbcy found the water uji to within a few inches of tl,e door. Yet they concludtd to wait until morning before making preparations to move. During tbe night tbe ice broke up, and with the floating timber gorged tbe river above the bend of the ifiland, almost completely damming it. Behind this gorge the water continued to rise until it bad covered tbe river bottom to great depth. Lockbart and Clark had arisen and begun to prepare their breakfast when this gorge broke, and the flood came down u]ion tbe island and cabin with terrific force. Hearing the rushing of tbe water and breaking of the tim- ber, they run out of the cabin just as tbe water came down upon them. Lockbart seized bold of a tree and succeeded in climbing out of tbe way of tb,e flood. Clark jumped into the river and swam for tbe east bank. He Buececdcd in crossing tbe stream, and graflping some over- hanging boughs, turned his head and exclaimed : "Tom, I'm all right," when the flood came upon him, and, overwhelmed in the torrent, he sank to rise no more. Lockbart remained in the tree for several hours, when, by means of some floating Ic^gs, he reached the high bank and made his escape. Gladly do we turn from thccai'.y footprints of white men in I^yon county, and relating these will nenca, to record the first step made in il.s settlem.ent. To I.cwis P. Hyde belongs the honor of making the first settlement in Lj-on Comity, who, on thn 23d of July, 18GC, entered, as a homestead, lots 1 and 2, section 19 and EARLY SETTLEinCNT. H. lot 5, section 20, t(nvri!^[ii]» 08, r;inp;e 48, lying or. the Sicux river, aLout two miles above what is now Beloit. Mp» Hyde former]\' resided in Wisconsin . Being- fcuiruiniu. d by a familv f)f grown up son?, lie decided to etnlgralc to- tl;e grciit West, wiiere each could secure lliat i>ir! liii^l.L o%. every American citizen — a good li0ii:e. lie fir. t i nriL;!:.te(l to Minnesota, where he remained Bcine time, but was ne^ or satisfied- \nilil reaching the be;ailirnl un-dul.ii ing- {■■ia.ivr near tl.c east line of I.ycn county. From hi re t > tie lijj Sioux river lie was deiighled with tl.eceuniry. ^\' ct.vwi.!.;^ the high table land overicukiig the I'.reseiit town <■■( ih Init, he beheld in the broad and magnificent vallcv ol' ih<.' S'cux future veahli, po|:ulaliou and ]irot]-.erity. It..' a<-i-o! ilini' ly geltled liele, on the tract of land where lie in.w reslucs, while his sons settled acrobs the river in l)a!.o;;i. Mr. Hyde and his sons immediitiiy SJ't io work and erected tlie little cabin which fcjimevl the fir^t dwrMing in Lyon County. Little did thev dream, :as :he snuud of their axes brok(» the solitude tievcr before dislu- i-'"i l)v tlic liUb^andman, that eo soon sliouhl they be sur;-; n: d-'d 1 -, a prosperous comniunii}-, and all the l)lessings ol eiv iliicativ"!. Mr. Hyde is now being rewarded lor the h-irdsl'ip which !ie endured in leaving an old settled cour.lrv fo ')(>- come the pioneer of Lyon County. His liomcstead is on« of the most valuable in the county, con.tainino;' a Hue body of black walnut, oak. aili. m.-nile. and other timber; n ml his two sons own good farms near him, and are prosperous and happy. During this summer (ISGC) the preliminarv survev of the Sioux City and St. Paul IJaiiro-jd was made, and their land grant located. This was the beginning of an enter- prise which is now doing good work in heljdng to build up- Northwestern Iowa and Lyon Cuuntv. It was also during this summ.er that the first land-grant •windle was pre|>etrated upon Lyon County, This w.-'S done by the Des Moines Valley Kailroad Company, under an indemnity land grant marie by Congress 'Ihrough ihafe gTHiit this company secured ^8,000 acres «)f the finest hot- 1on> JMiids in Lyon County, which would otherwise lu'.vo passed into the hands of actual settlers, under the Homo- ftead hiw, and llie line of road which this company pro- poses to build f(^r these lands docp not run within eighty miles of Jiyou County. 1. .y • ..I : I -.; .'ir 12 HISTOUY OF LYON COITXTT. In the f:ill, M;". Hyde and his sous returned to Minnesota to pass the wiatcr, u.id make preparations to remove with their families to the county in the spi'inc^. And Lvon Count}' was left to trappers, Indians and wild beasts, with BO record of its history for the winter of lSGG-7. In the spring of 13G7, this little band returned with their families to the scene of their former labor and commenced ■work. With Sioux Cit}', seventy miles distant, for their nearest market, and the treacherous Sioux Lutians to keep them company, their advantriE^es for a successful summer's vrork must have been anythinp;' but good. Durino: this summer, Cerro .Gordo County located a tract of 130,000 acres of beautiful land in Lyon County, as iudemiaty for swamp land due it t'roin (iovernment. That count}'' afterward transferred these lands to the MeGrej^or and Missouri lliver Rai'road Company, who will probaljly run their line of road through them, irivinp: us an Eastern market. This will partly compensate for their loss to actual aettleracnt. In the f.kll of 1SG7, Halvor Nelson, of Clayton County, •who is justly regarded as one of the fathers of Lyon County, accompanied by his brother, Ole Nelson, started West to prospjct for a location to engage in the mill busi- ness and build up a town. Mr. Nelson followed up the Big Bioux to where uow stands the flourishing town of Beloit Here he found a splendid water power, situate 1 in one of tlio most extensive and fertile valleys in the ^^'est . Regarding those as the sure foundation of a city, ho proceeded at once to Sioux City and entered a large tract of lurid embracing what is now Beloit. He then returned to Cla^'ion County, to prepare to bring out a colony of Norwegians in the spring. During the winter of 1SG7-3, L. P. Hyde and family, Ktid " UiKjle Dan," who, during the sutnrrcr, had taken a homeste:id at '-Uncle Dan's Ford," were th(; ot.ly inhabit- ants of Lvon C^unify, and we aro able tf» glean little con- cerning the events or character of this winter. Early in the sprin;:: of 18GS, Ttlr. Nelson, with his colony, consisting of thirty wafjons, took up their journey for Lvon County. Tiie last hundred miles of their journey lay across an open prairie, without bridi.'-e'', or even a trail lo guide tli.'ir course. Tlie water being hiirh, they encountered many dillioulties in crossing streams and kecpnig their route. EARLY SETTLEMENT. 13 Reaching: Beloit, part of llie colony settled in Dakota, and James Paulson, Cliris. H. Sogn, A. K. Lee, Arne IIcl- person, GutiO Guiiderson and Morton Hanson settled near Beloir, •where, amid many ditficulties, thej' began opening farms, ilr. Nelson immediately commenced work on his saw- mill, and, allliougli obliged to freight machinery and sup- plies from Sioux City, liiul it ruoning before winter. A good quality of oak, black wulnut, ash and Cottonwood lum- ber Was turned out, wliich greatly aided in the settlement ©f the Sioux Valley. In the month of Maj' of this season, 11. D. Kice, then of Clav County, Iowa, encouraged by tales of the wonderful beauty of Lyon County, jiroceeded to ex]i!ore the Rock river. Mr. Iiice was much impressed with the extent and richness of this valley. But it was while standing on the highland above the now rising town of Doon that nature, in all its romantic beauty, seems to have burst upon his view- Before him, the broad and fertile valley of the Rock, with its sparkling waterfalls and groves of timber, wound away to tlie southwest until lost in the blue horizon of Dakota. The meandering Little Rock, its bright waters shimmering in the sunlight ; the West J>ranch, with its delicate fringe of willow, and the green ])iateaus of these limitlos.^ prairies, lay, as vet untouched by the hand of civilization, before him. ^Vho shall tell what were his feelings as he stood thus transfixed? Suffice I'or us to say. that lie resolved here to build his permanent heme. And from that time until the present, Mr. Rice has never lost faith in the ulti- mate prosperity of this countr}', and his voice and hand haTe ever been given in aiding the development of I-yon County . In July, Mr. Eice, accompanied by L. F. Knight, reached *.he forks of the Rock a second time, where they built a cabin, and began the first settlement on Rock river. In August, Mr. R'ce returned to Clay County for his familv. leaving Mr. Knight alone at the forks of the Rock. This circumstance gave rise to the name of Doon, which this place now bears. Silting in solitude on the bank of this beautiful stream, I'ar removed from all human- ity, with naught but the songs of the birds or the murmur cf the waterfall to break the silence of tlie wild, Mr. Knight recalled those touctiinfj lines of Burns', beginning: 14: IllSTCnv OP LYON OUNTY "Yfc bank? -v-.d l>racs o' honnle Doon, How c ui ye; hh.oiii sac Fre.-h and fair; j liow (Mi^ yo clMiit, ye little bir>ls, • And I tr.c "A Liii-y, fa' o' C;i!i:!"j Wliich f-ujipested li,'^ ntiiT.e wliicii lie gave to this place, *ml whic-li it will <•.<•( leluin. In August, Enu'rick Eiwin and II. ^V . Revts Ijuili. ii cabin no.ir the loiks, where they ■fpeut llic tullowi;;-; winter. Mrs. Rice readied Doon in SVp'oinber, »nd, iiH.\-iiiLi' into their litile cabin, was the tirst "wliite woman to t-ll!c on lljt; l?ock river. J. B. Ilartson, of ^^'ioe()t^sin, arri\'.'! at Doon the latter part of December, juid sMlt'cted the tract of land where he now resides. Tlie>;c' person- and Uie litile coIodv at Beliot comprised tlic poiiu'.Htion oi Lv(Mi Coniiiy Uvithout feed. The various ban Is of Vanklon Indians hunting through tilis region seem to have been peaceable, and although almost cut off IVom the world, tliese littlo settlements passed the Trinter in (•> iinparativc co nfort. In Mav, lyii'!, Ciiirles II. Johnson, of Wisconsin, ono of the hard-workin'j; [lioneers of Lyon County, explored the Tulley of the Liitlt.- Rock river. Mr. Johnson was highly |)leas"d with tin" i:r(Mt natural beaiily and fertility of this laiiev. He accordiuLrly selected a homestead at tl;o junc- .Ijoii of the Little Rock river and Otter Creek, and began tiie settletnetit of the Little Rock valley, now one of the be.-it settled in Ly(;n County. Soon after thi^, T. ^^^ Johnson, A. A. .lohnson. Emerick Irwin; and Messr--. MeGuire, also settled near the forks of these streams, u':d tiic settlement of the Little Rock was faiily hegun. Riior to this, 11(1 scltlcment had been made in what is •BOW Rock town-!ii;«. and the Rock RtTer rnlley on the Borth part of the eniint}' had never been risitcd with a ▼lew \■^ settl?me!!t. In the month of June, D. C. Whitc- liead, of Weiisfer County, a live man, who has ever been foremost in the devclnpmeiit of Lyon County, proceeded to explore the resources of this region. On his route ho was jjined bv ^I.il I liias Sweeny and DclosTowsley. On the Ti\\\ of June this j-.;uty readied the r.ii)ids at the junction cf t!\.' Rock and Kaiiar.mzi rivers, and here stood eiiehanted i '.4 jca'rlt settlement. 15 by ihe sjuiiJ of the waterfall, wliich ibr ages had wasted its power and lavished its beauty upon the wilderness. They were at once filled with enthusiasm and hi^h lu'pes of the future greatness of the place. Mr. ^Vhit;ellead iieio gave it thp name of IJock IlapiJs, which will ever retaaia unchanged. The party then s^^Ieeted homesteads, Mr. Whitcliead nearly adjonnng tliQ present town-plat, and Messrs. Swcesy and Towsley a short distance above, and then left to re- turn with their families. Thus was begun the now tliriving' town of Kock Ra})ids and the settlement of Rock 'r'.\v:i>l.;p. In June, Geo. "\r. McQueen and John A. Wagner, of Lynn County, reached the county. Jlr. ^McQueen entered seyeral fine tracts of Government land, and settled j c i nia- nently at Doon. Mr. "Wagner selected a honie,-i'_\.d on Burr Oak Creek, beginning the settlement on that s'lLam. In July, S. G. ^Martin and Justice Martin and 1'u.milr, settled a short dist;.nce above Rock Rapids, Mrs. .lustice Martin being the first white woman to settle in Rock town- ship, and they were the only lamily residing in liiat town- ihip during the winter of ISGO-IO. While this progress was being made on the R- rV, tlie Sioux valley was not at a stand-still. In Jo\-, A';; >- Scv- erson, Thorsten Korste'l, 0\e SoretiSon. Iliins. J. ( 'Icscn, Simon Tobiason, and others, settled en the Big Sioux in Township 09, and began what is now one of the most pros- perous settlements in the county. And John A]I> -rtson started the settlement 1-etwccn Doon and Deloit. In \'.vr>m- ber, E. W. Lewis, of Pennsylvania, selected a tract r.f land on the Big Sioux, in what is now the township < f Larch- woocl, where he settled the following spring. The colony at Be'oit had received eonsiderahlo addi- tions to its numbers, and this season raised the fir>t crop, of any importance, in the county, which was a iro( d rmo. The dam at }Me!son's mill, which had been carried olf liy the high water in the spring, was replaced, and Beloit wore a lively appearance. During this summer, H. D. Rice built a large frame fiouse on his place at Doon, which was the first fraiuf i)uil with blankets. He then unhitchetl the team and lied them to the wagon, and, with his son and daughter, crawled into the slight shelter they had so hastily prepared. Here they lay for two days and three nights, the >;a KAI.-I.Y Mrni.EMENT. 17 wiiui howliutr, tlit^ snow bl.iwiiii;;- tliroug-ii tl;.' frrvWjt s, and pnckinc:;' arouinl them so <'|( to move. Who c;i!i oonij)rel!' li'l the aiitiiish »■: t]i;.t rijllicr,. whoi), (luriii^ tile iliird iiii.\ty hoins, without Isavlrir t-s^eil lood and ?i!tierir!^ imiii tt -.al'it' :uim.!iih iVc'rii \\u' cOi■!.;.:^ I'tuuixhtcr exchiimed : "Father, 1 ;im iVeez'mgl'' i]aji|):;v th.cA' lived throiijrh th.p iiijrlit, iii'd the licxL luoniini^ \\,i du-.ru having ceased, siiccocde. ilico. where, althoufrK ijadly frozen, they rinaliy reeoveied. During- the nionlli of FehriuMT of this winter, II. T. Uelrrerson 5eh;eted a honiestciid at IJehnt. where he now resiies. C Ii. ALooii iilso ?A'leeted a hoint">tea(i udjoir.ini; llie {•resent town puit of Ivock IJapids, where he setih-d ihel'ol- h">win R-^-ck Raj^ids with his fi'.niily, endurini^ irrcal hardship and puireriiirr from a terril)le storm which eiimc on at i.he tinu^of their arri\al. The spring of lt>70 opened with hrig-hter Drc^vf^'^ts tor Lyon County. The settlers put hjrth exert i^ns to secure a share of the inniiip^ralion of the reason, and a i^ii .'ii i:.ro-tr popida'.ion was addei than oii any previous v-'ai*. L;ir^'e .n tirely vacant. This is endiraced within the lii)^'>.() per acre, or homesti.-a Is of ei^-iitv acres each. In June, S. C. Hyde, oi \\\soonsin, settled on Otter Creek, in the southe.ist corner of the county, inakinnf ciTorts to secure imtnigratioti for tliat r(>cien. I'he Soldiers' Homestead Act, approved in Jmy, added a !-tron:r >timulns to the settleimiit of ihcse lands. In Julv, Messrs. Scluilli atid ofhets settled n-'ar the mouth of Otter creek. I..atrr, John i". Thompson, Lli Ba!ver,.fo!ui Tltompsori and WiilJanj Me.id. with a mittib-r id" families from their respective iseit/hb'jrh.oods in Illinois ami Wisconsin, made s^sieetions 18 BISTORT ©F LTOX OOCJNTY. further e;ist oa Otter creek. In November, Ja-'ob Hiiishaw, H-irmon Cook and Isaac Lawrence, made the first selections for the Q taker settlement on Oiter creek, and tlie founda- fiuas for the settlement of the east part of the county were ■ovr laid. In July, G. R. Balgerovv, of Toronto, Out., located at Doon, eiigaifinij in the real estate Wusiness. and buying sev- eral tracts of land on Ilock river. In September, J. A. Carpenter and sons, of Beloit, Wisconsin, thought a half in- terest in Halvor Nelson's mill and real property on the Big Sioux. Thr name of Beloit was then given to the town, and the building of a first-clas.s flouring mill begun. Later in the fall, J. S. Howell, of Cherokee County, selected his present location at Rock Rajjids, and became interested in that town. During the summer of 1870, Lyon County shared with the whole West in a severe drought, lasting from the first of July until the close of the season. For a time the set- tiers were almost discouraged, yet where land was fairly under cultivation, crops were excellent. In the fall, the citiZ'Mis of Lvon petitioned the Board of Stjpervi.'5ors of Woodbury County for a county organiza- tion. This was refused, but a township organization gfranted. and two towt)sliips, Lyon and Rock, embracing the whole of L\-on County, were orgnnized January 1st, 1871. In Septeinl)er, the Fee, a daugliter of Mr. and Mrs. A. K. I>>e, of Lyon townstiip. Tl»c first sermon preached in Lyon County was deliv- ered by R'*v, Ellef Oloson, of Dakota, on the Gth of Sep- tember, 1870, at Mr, Nelson's residence in Beloit. At the same time and place were married, by Mr. Ole- aon, Ole Torborson and Petrina Peterson, the tirst marriage ■I Lyon County. As winter closed upon tlio inliabitants of Lyon, they were called upon to record the first death in the county, Winer that of Lym;in A. Wagner, son of Mr. and Mr«. John A. \\'':igiH*r, who died o-i the 2u[h of December, 1870, aged 4> years an 1 2 ) d ivs. This evt'nt e»-is so long isolated region. Durine: this spring a fine frame school building, the first in Lyon County, was built at Rock Rapids. At Beloit, Messrs. Nelson and Carpenter erected several fine building.^, and continued the work on their flouring mill. Messrs. Goetz &■ Thorson engageil in the mercantile and real estate businesM, opening the first merchandizing establishment in Lyon Contity. Durinji the summer, .1. W. Fell, of Bloomington, 111., commenc(Hl improvements at the present town of Larch- wcod, which had been hud out iti 18T<>, and planted over 100,000 fruit and forest trees on his lands adjoining the town. On the '^.Jth of July, at Rock Kapitls, was eouunenced the publication of thc'Jiock Jinjmh Journal, C. E. Bristol, editor. This was the Hrst issue of a newspaper iu Lyon Count V, and although the j)ul)liNhers were, for the time, oblisred to procure their printing from outsi;ic the eoiiuty, it ]iertoin»('il a good work in making known the superior indueemeiils wliieh this region oll'erc-d to innui^ratit.n. 20 IllSTOUT OF l.YO.V COUXTT. During the full a lai-ge seulcmt'iit \vus inadt? throiii^hout the coiibty, t'?pcuiiilly in tin; eastern ]):iit, anel l)y Llie be^riij. ning ut tlie winter of 1871-2 the iiopuiation of the coiiiitj was proltabl}* one tlioii!rc!ion in the county. Ninety-seven votes were polled at this elec- tion, all of which were given fur the llepiibliean ticket On the 1st of January, Lyon scvcrecj its C0!uieetion with / \Voodi>ury County, and was organized as an independejit County, and the county olTicors elected at the preeeiline wlK)!e West, while in Kansas there was an almost totsd failure of crops and ])asturafre. and large numbers vrete leaving' tlie State, in Lyon Connty what farms were then under enltivariori j>rodiiced abundantly, and the countj was clothfi] in luxurious verdure. Whatever inducements Lyon Connty may offer to the manufacturer, the merchant, or those engaged in the various pursuits of life, the essential fact remains that in ©ur soil there lies a sure foundation for future wealth and greatness. Here alone is there not only the Pource of abundant material wealth, but the capitalist, foreseeing what the future is to bring forth when the hundreds of thousands of our unjilowcd acres arc brought under eulta— vatioUjWiIl not hesitate to invest his treasure in the various enterprises necessary to our growth and prosperity. And the husbati'lman has reason for his faith in a soil which never fails to reward him generous!}- for the labor bestowecl in its cultivation. But W(; shall spe;ik of some of the staple proiluclions of our ;on, at from twenty-five to thirty bushels per acre, and many fields at thirty-five to forty bushels par acre. These estimates will ajipcar like exairc-erations in manv p'Mtions of the lOast, but we believe tlu'V will not vary much from the actual vield. It is true that tlie preN- eut year is unusually favorable, but the crop has never fallea* 1^ ': farm at the forks of Kock River since ISOI), and has never failed to secure a .•ood crc'p, and it Itas never lieen cut ofTbv drought, frost or hlight. yielding, in some years, as high as eighty bushels of shelled corn to the acre. M i.!i good manairement, the yield is from fifty to eightr buslieis ji'.r acre. This crop, as well as all others, is raised witii le.--^ than half the labor usually required on the worn- out soil.-, or a;;iong the stumps and stones, v,-ith which the EiSlcra farmer has to contend. A man and a boy can tend SOIL A'Sn PKODUCTIOXS. 25 forty acres, besides devoting' a j^ortion of their tiino t* other crops, the hoc hardly over being uscil. This, with a jield of from f jrty to sixty bushels to the .icre, would give all the way from 1,G00 to 2,400 bushels of grain, which will give some idea of our facilities for stock and pork raising. If one-fourth of the area of Lyon County was planted to corn, producing forty bushels to the acre, the yield of one crop would be o, 080,000 l)ushels. OTHER GRAIN'S. Oats flourish remarkably, the j'ield having, in several instances, been as high as ninety bushels per acre, but from forty to sixty bushels is the common yield. Barley, ryt and buckwheat have, as yet, received but little attention, but, where cultivated, have equalled the highest expecta- tions, and will, no doubt, become favorite productions. SORGHUM. Our warm, rich soil is well adapted to the growth of sorghum and iinphee, and our drv mid sunny autumns are most favural)Ie to its ripening aud manufacture. The citi- zens of Lyon County have already given considerable atten- tion to the cultivation of these })lant?, with excellent suc- cess, and their growth will no doubt become a permanent branch of our agriculture. POTATOES. This esculent, without which the table of the king or the peasant is incomplete, here flourishes in its highest per- fection. It is nothing uncommon, with careful cultivation, especially on our alluvial bottom lands, to raise as high as three hundred bushels per acre. Thev aire of superior size and flavor, and the crop is becoming one of great importance. OTIlICr. PLANTS. This region seems pcculiar'y adapted, especially the alluvial soil of the valleys of the streams, to the raising of melons, scpiashes, tomatoes, bean.--, pcMS, oab!)age, turnips, beets, uiid all the bulbous and salad plauis. If the exact weiglit and measurement of eabbagi^ turnips, onions, etc. , grown in i^ynn C.)unty the present season, were givi-n, not one in ton ia man\' p(«rtionsof the eountry would believe it to be true. In ^!lurt, it miy be said that nowhere is the Boil more ea-ily cultivated, or more <-ertaiu to yield an ample rewafd for the labor bestowed upon it, than in Northwest lowa and Lycn County. 26 niSTOUY OF LYON COUNTY. CLIMATE AND HEALTH. Our great altitude — 1400 feet above the sea level — and perfect drainag-o system, give a drj', pure and invigorating atmosphere, and forever settle all question regarding the healthfulness of our climate. P^very person v»ho contem- plates immigration to the West, should give this subject his first and most earnest consideration. Here they will be spared the malarious diseases which have attended the settlement of many of the western States, »nd which are Btill the scourge of the finest regions in the Southwest. A case of fever and ague was nerer known in Lyon County, and the whole country is absolutely free from diseases of a miasmatic origin. This rarity of atmosphere has also a highly beneficial efTect upon those suffering from pul- monarj' complaints, and it is confidently believed that thes© diseases, incident to the more damp atmosphere of the New England States can never arise in this country. Dr. J. W. Foster, in his great Avork, " The ^lississippi Valley," says : "As we trace the isotherms of sprirg and iumracr, say from Xew York as a geographical ])oint, they are found to pursue a pretty uniform direction westerly un- iil they reach the western shore of Lake ^lichigan, when they abruptly curve to the northwest." Without entering ■upon a discussion of the laws of climatology to pccount for this phenomena, we will slate that the truth of these obser- vations is unaT\imously attested by the inhabitants of the great Valley of the Missouri. While our latitude is that of Central New York, we have a f:ir more salubrious climate. The summers are w;irm, but are not hot and sultry, owing to the pleasant breezes which inA-ariably spring up on the prai- ries in the forenoon, and contii.uo through the day. During the winter, rainfall is almost unknown, and, al- though the winters are cold, the air is so dry and bracing that their severity is not felt as in the humid regions of the East, or changeable climate of a nifjre southern latitude. But the crowning beauty of our climate is aiilumn. The delightful season known as " Indian summer"' is here often prolonged into December, and is jieculiarly oharmirig. A calm, soft, hazv atmosphere fills the sky, through wiiich, day after day, the sun, shorn of his beams, rises and sets like a globe of fire. By night the lic;iv«'ns are lighted by the burnii g prairies, the forests are tinged with the most gor- geous hues, and all Nature seems to wear the enchantments KIVKRS. 27 of fairy land. Almost impercei)til)ly these golden dayg merge into winter; and so the seasons pass, year after year. R1VER&. "We have not claimed a better soil than that of adjoining counties, but in the number and character of its streams, and facilities for water power, Lyon County surpasses any por- tion of Northwestern Iowa. The county is drained by tlie Rock and Big Sioux river* and their tributaries. THE ROCK RIVER And its numerous aHlnents drain the central and easterm portions of the county. This stream take? its name from a bold outcrop of the red quartzite rock, called the "Blue Mounds," near the town of Luverne, Minnesota, from whieli the Yanktons gave it the name of " River of the Red Rock." It rises in Minnesota, about seventy-five miles north of the State line, and flows southward, passing nearly through the center of Lyon Couaty, and unites with the Big Sioux about fifteen miles below its southern boundary. Its length is about one hundred miles, and it drains over a million acre* of farming lands. It is a clear, ranid and powerful stream, with a rocky or eravel V)ed, and an averajre width of from eightv to one hun- dred feet, and a deptli of from three to six feet. It flows through a beautiful valley from one to three miles wide, the sides of which blend gracefully with the prairie beyond. Between the line of highest overflow and the prairie there stretches a contiinied level plane, which will serve the ex- cellent pur|ioso of a bed for u railroad — which must followr the development of this rich valley. Aside from the manv oilier advantages of this river, are the facilities which it a{T-)rds for milling and manufacturing purposes, in its magnilicent water powers. Those in Lyon County are among the tinest in the Northwest, and are the eource of grent future wealth, and deserve the early atten- tion of ca|)italists. The scenerv on this stream, especiall}' in the summer, is most delightful. The beholder, at each sweeping bend of the river, is startled b\' a prosp;'ct oi! groves, parks, water- falls and green slopes. Th«' view in the di>tance is lost in the dim outline of the windiu'r forest, or in otiier places is arrested by the cultivated field, the farm-house, or the thrir- \ng village. i ',A im -t) 28 HISTOUT OF LYON COUNTY The principal tributaries of the Rock aro the Little Rock, Otter Creek, West Branch, Kanaranzi and Tom Creek. These are swift" and sparkling streams, fed by springs. They rise in Minnesota, and in winding their way to a junction with the Rock, completely water all parts of the county. THE BIG SIOUX RIVER Received its name from Lewis and Clark, who passed its mouth on the 21st of August, 180-i, on their great exploring expedition to the Northwest. These explorers reported it as a navigable stream, but this has not proved to be true, though steamboats have at times ascended the river some distance. This stream is somewhat larger than the Rock, and partakes of the same general description. It rises near Big Stone Lake, Dakota, and ilows southward, dividing Lyon County from Dakota Territory, and emptying into th« Missouri a short distance above Sioux City. The valley of the Sioux is very extensive and fertile, be- ino- from three to six miles wide. On the Iowa side this valley is guarded by a line of bluflfs from one hundred to two hundred and fii'ty fret high, which render the scenery pic- turesque and beautifuL The facilities for ntanufacturing on this stream are ex- •ellent. Good judges estimate that a fine water power may be found as often as once every two miles throughout its en- tire hmgth, from the northwest corner of the State to the mouth of Rock River. With thtso advantages, the build- ing of a radro.id up this valley — already begun— and our fine field for sho.^n rjiisiiig, the development of woolen man- ufacture promises much fnr the future of this country. The streams in LyoQ County all abound with many ex- cellent varieties of fish, which are taken at all seasons (^f the year. Their valleys are inhabited by elk, deer, beaver, ot- ter and other gam'j, and by fiocks of wild geese, ducks, peli- cans, swans and other wllil fowl, furnishing a tine oj)portu- nitv for sport ins:. ■ STOCK RAISING. Tlie foreiroing description of the water system of Lyon Countv canimt lail to show that this is p-reeminently an in- Titing"'fii-ld for stock raising. Tlie wild blue-joint gr;iss of our valleys forms the finest meadows in the world. It grows from three to six feet high, yielding from two to thrpe TIMRKK KOIIICST AND rUlIT CUI.TUIZK. 2D tons of liay per acre pquiil in v:il\u' to that <)f :'ie tamo jirasses. Tlii;; is secured witli iii.u'luin-rv iit .small expanse to tlio stock raiser. Tlio grasses uf the inairics aic nutritious, and the rani:;e of ])RSturago is unlimited. We cannot- represent tiiat "stock flourishes tlic rear around upon the natural grasses witliOuL shelter, hay or other fce(l,'' for this is not true. Stock is turned into the uncut stalks of tlie corn fields in the fall, where the\' subsist until winter. The fcedin;^ season generally lasts about six- teen week.*, and stock is brought out in good condiiion with shelter and hay only. It is a mistalcen idea that stock raising mav be carried on succcs.^^fully without feed anywhere in the West. This is not attempted in but limited ponions of the United Stutcs east of the Rocky mountains, and is attended with diilicultjr and frequently with great less. Statistics, or reflection alone, will convince any })erson that the principal and most profitable stock raising is (tarried on in the northern States where winter feeding is necessary. The raising" of cattle, horses and sheep is !iere a safe and profitable business, and we advise immigrants, when conve- nient, to bring stock, the more the better. TIMBER— FOREST AND BllUIT CULTURE. Most of us were born in a wooded country. In child- hood we were accustonu'd to look out upon a lamlscape di- versified liy forest, mountain and valley. Trr.nsportec' to a region who.^o features are so different, with a surface stretch- ing out in vast plains covered with a rich growth of vegeta- ble green, either level or undulating like the waves of th© sea, wlien; the onlv timber to be seen is a lor g line of tree* bordering a stream ; transferred to sue h'a ^cene, we are ut- tcrly ci/ irwl ^ ' ■ ■ 'i.V"' ' ■ ■" 30 HISTORY OF LYOX COUNTY building Hiid fencing here is notgreuter tlian in Northeni Il- linois, Indiiina or Onio. For tlie present, foneiiig is .almost entirely di>pensed with, as stoclv is herded upon the v;ist tracts of vacant land. Tiie Rock and Sioux Rivers are bordered by fine groves of timber. The princip:il varieties are white maple, cotton- wood, white ash, willow, t Im and black walnut, and the sup- ply is sufficient to lH^t, fur fuel and other purposes, until in- creased by the growth of artificial timber. Our farmers find that the time required in preparing and hauling wood may be more profitably employed in other labor; that our Iowa coal, whicli is delivered at the railroad stations at five to six dollars per ton, is a iar better and cheaper fuel tham wood. Tlie rapid growth of artificial timber on our prairie soil is astonishing. A grove of cottouwood or white maple of tliree or four years' growth is large enough for a shade or a wind-break. At six years it maybe tliinned out for fuel, and from that time on the tree grower may have an almnd- ant supply of fuel and lencing material. The citizens of Lvon County are giving mucii attention to foi'est culture. During the past reason they have planted millions of co'> tonwood, white maple, black walnut, ash, larch and box el- der trees In this maimer a supply of timber is rendered certain for the future, the fierce blasts of winter are stayed, farms are rendered mure valuable, and the country is adorned and beautified. Fruit culture has not yet been^sufneiently tested in Lyon County to enable us to give many results; but there is no doubt that all varieties u.sual to this latitude may be success- fully cultivated. Such hardy varieties of a[)j)les as the Duchess of 01deiiltur:r, Utter's Laiire, Tetof.sk i. Red Astra - chan, Fameuse, Northern Spy, Giilden Ru.ssett, Siberiaa and all tlie small fruit?", have been grown with perfect suc- cess for two years. The wild fruit of our valleys, among which :'re many va- rieties of grapes, plums and strawberries, are delicious and abundant. The immigrant from the East need not fear that he 19 bidding good-bye forever to tiiose fruits that have been a comfort and a luxury in his former home. STONE. There is no stone on the prairies in Lyon County. A BAlCi:OADS AND MARKETS. 31 farm of a thousand acres may lie cultiviited without so mucli as once touching a stone with the plow or the hoe. Pleulj of bouUleis suitable for the walling of wells, cellars and cis- terns are found al(;ng the banks of the Ruck, Little Rock, and Big llioux rivers. Lime stone is found on the Sioux, and is tlicre converted into excellent lime in large qu;intiLies. But in our great quarries of quartzi:e rock, lies buried our princiiial wealth in stone. Tliese are situated at the ex- treme northwest corner of the State, and crop out at a num- ber of places, over an area of about two square miles. The largest exposure occupies i\ space of about two acres, and extends into the Sioux river at the State corner, causitig a fine fall and water power at that point. This is a hard, stratified rook of a beautiful reddish color. The State Ge- ologist, who visited these quarries in ISGS, gives it the name of " Sioux Quartzite," and ascribes its formation to the Azoic age. He states that it is the only out-crop of this rock in the State, and pronounces it '■'•absolutebj inde' ttructibley This rock ac present is rendered practically useless, owing to want of transportation, but we look forward to tho time when it will enter into the construction of works of art, and enduring homes for the people of Lyon Couaty. RAILROADS AND MARKETS. No railroads are now in operation within the limits of Lyon County, but we are deriving all their luibstantial bene- fits from the Sioux City and St. Paul Road, which runs along our eastern boundary. Other lines are also being pushed r:q)idly forward, and will cross the county both north and flouth, cast and west. The Sioux City and St. Paul Rnilroad is one of the most important liu'.'s now being operated in Iowa. It coiinecLs us directly with the pineries of Minnesota and NV^isconsin, the coal fiL'lds of Iowa, and rrith Duluth and Chicago. The McGregor and Missouri River Railroad, now com- pleted to Aigoua, is I)eing rapidly extondcl westward to Dakota Territory, anil is ex()ected to run entirely across the county fro n east to west, lif this road the great ad/an- tuges of the Milwaukee wlieat market, and a direct connec- tion with the E tst, will b? s.'ourel to our people. Tlie Iowa and Dikota Riih-o:il, also, will probiblv pts3 through a portion ofthe comity in a westerlv directioi. A tax to aid in its constructiou has been voted in Lyon and 'wU 32 HISTORT OF LYON COUNTY otlicT counties, and we ;ii-c iuroriiiod that its buildins- '^vill be comniciicc'l e:irly in tin; coniinir sf'af-on. Tl)i.« io;id will ,-(>n. ncct us din-cilv willi llit; Iowa cojil niinos, iuid will he of the grc:;toft I en* ^!t to Noi thwestfru Imvu. The Sifux City ;ind Pcnil)ii::i Kriil.oad )nis its .•^niilhrrn terminus :it Sioux (.'ily. It li.llows up tl)(? vrillcv of tl:c hi^r Sioux alnnjr our wesicrn holder, crosses the lii'cat continen- tal wjiter'slied to tin* lied Kiver of the North, aisd eonuccts •with the Northfrn Pacific Kailroadat Biainard. The build- inir <^f ^''i'* road ''•'-'^ licen C(;innienced, and when eoni! letcd it will ojMMi up one of the finest valleys in the West, uu<] se- cure us tlif^ arlvnntaufs of tite now iiiiportaiit markets -..f the Western niininir r<';ri( ns. The jirojected IJock River Railway will follow up the Valley of the Rook tiirouch I'Von and Sioux Co-nilies, Iowa. and Reck County, Minnisota. The route for this ro;:d is one ot'tlie m<^st feasilh? e\ cr ])ropoped, and its const ructiijn as certain as the dev( ]o| nu-nt of this extensive vallev. These roads are not iniH::inarT ; one has Lcen conijili}( d, two are iuid(^r construction, and the others are questic^ns of time only. Important at is production, the proprf^ss of an inland •Ountry will he measured by its railrord taciliiics. The railroad is the power that is transforming: the wilJs of the great West into the most jiroductive portion of ihe eaitli, and is rcr(;]utioiii/inj^ the commerce of the world. The intelligent pioneer now asks of a locality, " IIow far is it from llie railroad?" with even more interest than " What is its soil?" We invite attention to oui- juilwav prospects. POPULATION AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. The ]ir(^s»'nt pf;pu!ation df lyon County numbers about 1,500. tiie greater iM;rti(;n of ■wliom ate fcuncr icsidpi.ts oi' Illinois and ^^'isconsin, with a share from the eastern States. A colony of Norwep-ians are jccati-d on the Sioux, who find •ur runny shpes and fertile vallev !ar more coPirenial than the gloomy [lines and lofty mount: ns of Ncirwav. A nnm.- ber of Germans have settled in ditberent j^ortions of the county, and are nwov.p our most ]ir( hpeicus burners. The society of Friend? have a fine settlenietit in the •outheast corner ef'llie county. Tlic}' b.old out, wc believe, more pleasing and sul>stantial inducentrnts to their 1;relh- fi n who may desire to settle in a rew country, than are •ffered elsewhere in the West. .n!'» Ij1<» , 1 )>)H ■ A ■ \i r POPULATION- AXP EDTTCATIOXAL ADVAXlAGES. 33 As a whole, our citizens are intelligent, generous and en- terprismg, and we doubt if a happier people may be anv- wliore found. The e.irly .^ettlers of Indiana, Illinois and \V isconsm now look buck upon the dav when they were pi- oncers as the happiest period in their lives. So it is here. Glaaij do we journey a dozen miles to raise the log cabin ot a settler, or to join in a social gatherin"-. Our people take an active interest in tlie advancement of agriculture, manufactures, education, the growth of our towns and villages, and above all the settlement of the country. Those who come amovig us to find homes or en- gage m business pursuits will be greeted with a heartv wel- come, aid and encouragement. A county azricaltural society has been organized which will hold its first fair during the present fall. Several christian societies have been organized, and measures are being taken for the erection of churches. The orders of Free 3I:ison3 and Odd Fellows are repre- sented among our citizens, and their early organization is proposed. Oar earl}' settlers foresaw danger in tlie neglect of edu- cation. To guard against the evils of materiality tbej have adopted the common school system which has so long vitalized the eastern states, and "which has followed the pioneer as inseparably as his shadow. Seventeen school buildings, costing from one to three thousand dollars each, and provided'with all the modera conveniences, have already been l>uilt in Lyon county. Not only are the common branches taught, but, wherever num. bers will adaiit, graded schools may be established. Our pujlic school system is closely connected with the State University and the many colleges in Iowa, and our educa- tional advantages are not surpassed in the older states. The revenue lor the support of these schools is ample. First, there is scciion sixteen in everj- township frranted bj the general government for school purposes. This j^rant in Lyon county amounts to lLo2l) acres of choice lai.ds which will be sold to actual settlers, for the support of scliools. To this may be added the interest annually received from the permanent State School Fund — now amounting to over four millions of dollars — and revenue from taxation. The large quantities of non-resident and railroad lands in the •ounty vaaj b« taxed for school purposes and internal im* 34 HISTOET OF LYON COUKTT. provements. The latter gives an advantage over localities where tne lands are largely in the hands of government and are non-taxable. TOWNS AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES. Considering the fact that all our towns are less than two years old, we evidently can give but a description of those resources and conditions which promise future municipal growth and prosperity. In so doing we follow the order in which improvements began on the sites of our teveral towns. BELOIT is situated in the extreme southwest corner of the county, on a smooth plain which rises gradually from the east bank of the Sioux river. The town has a charming location — on the south, the river bends abruptly to the east, and the high blufls on either side loom up in a thousand weird and fantastic forms; to the north and west the view takes in beautiful groves of maple and elm, the wide valley of the Sioux and the rolling prairies of Dakota. In natural resources, advantages ol' location, present im- provements and future prospects, Beloit surpasses any town in the extensive and fertile valley of the Sioux. It is the commercial and manufacturing center of a large and produc- tive region, and now does a flourishing business. The town is connected by daily and tri-weekly mail and stage lines with Doon, Sheldon, Lemars, and Sioux City, Iowa, and Yankton, Vermillion, Canton and Sioux Falls, Dakota. The Sioux City and Pembina and Iowa and Da- kota railroads are both expected to strike Beloit. The for- mer is now under construction and the company has secured grounds near the town plat for a depot. There are also ex- cellent water privileges near by which are beginning to be mproved. Beloit now contains one flouring mill, a fine structure, 34 x44, four stories high, with a grinding capacity of forty bushels per hour. It has also a grain elevator, saw mills, several real estate clliccs, stores, shops, an hotel, public hall fine school building, and some twentj- residences. riie following are the leading business firms: J. A. Carpenter i^' Sons, proprietors of the Beloit saw and flouring mills, and dealers in lands and town property. Goetz »liL' Thoison, real estate and tax paying agents and examiners of titles. Keep & Carpenter, dealers in general merchandise. f TOWNS AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES 35 H. T. Helgerson, dealer in ar^ricultural implements, lands and town property, and proprietor of the Lyon county nur- sery. M. Nelson, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware. K. Gesley, saddlery and harness making-. The Lyon county nurseries contain ^20,000 apple trees hardy varieties selected especially lor this climate; 5,000 evergreen and ornamental trees, over 203,000 silver maple, larch and other varieties, adapted to^|f£St,cultn^ also a lull stock of small fruils. 1 « OoOoO The farm ol J. A. Carpenter & Sony, near town, is worthy of mention as showing' howfarmino: may be carried on in the west. It contains over 5,000 acres, 1,GOO of which are now under cultivation, and 2,000 acres more will be put under the plow the coming season. Over 40,000 acres of farming lands surrouding Beloit are for sale to settlers upon easy terms. Town property is held at merely nominal prices, and every inducement is offered by one of the most promising towns in the Northwest. Information concerning Beloit and snrrounding country will be clieerfuUy given by addressing any of its business firms DOON is situated upon a smooth plateau on the east bank of the Rock, at the contluencc of the Wes<- i^ranch, Rock and Little Rock rivers. It commands a view of the valleys of these streams, whose sweeping liends, shady groves, and spark- ling waters, present a beautiful lanilscape as far as the eye can reach. Here fancv vrould an-ain restore to us some eastern village, suri'ounded by orchards, meadows and farms, were it not for that enterprise so characteristic of rising towns in the West. Its geographical situation is very nearly at the middle of the county east and west, and one mile and a half from its southern boundarv. It is located on the line of the Rock Vallev Railwav, and will also be the crossing of the Iowa and Dakota Railroad. Doon has been amply provided by nature with the foun- dation for a sul^stantial and flourishing town. The country drained bv the several streams that unite at this place is tributary to Doon. Two of the finest water powers on Rock River arc conveniently located. The water am cut out an afraoat porieot mffl race, the banks of tlic 36 HTSIOEY OF LTOIT OOTTNTT. stream are solid, and the power can be utilized at little ex- pense. Timber and stone are also plenty and convenient. With the improvement of these s.dvantages for manufac- ture, the development of the surrounding country, and com- pletion of railroads, Doon will rank as oue of our finest western towns. For the purpose of encourag^in^ these ob- i'ects some of our leading basinet's men have organized '-The -.yon County Town Lot and Real Estate Company." The objects of this Company are to deal in real estate, and in particular to invite immigration, encourage manufacturers, and promote the growth of Doon. The town has already made rapid progress. Tri-weekly mail stages connect it with Sheldon and Sibley, on the St. Paul railroad, and with Rock Rapids, Beloit and Lemars. A lively newspaper, Republican in politics, is also published at Doon, The first paper ever printed in I^yon county was issued from this olTice,, Sept. 20lh, 1ST2. It also contains a good hotel, several real estate olnccs and stores, a public hall and an elegant school building. Other buildings are going up and steps are being taken to erect a church. The Rock river is being spanned near town with an iron bridge. At present a flouring mill is urgently needed; other manu- factures must follow. More than 50,000 acres of our best farming lands are held for sale at Doon. The home-seeker and the capitalist are urged to investigate the inducements which are here offered, either by visit or correspondence •with any of the fulUjwing firms: The Lvon County Town Lot and Real Estate Companv, A. J. AVarrca, President; H. D. Rice, Vice President ; James II. Wagner, Treasurer; Charles E. Goetz, Secretary. M. W. Jeffries, dealer in general merchandise and agri- cultural implements. The Lyon County Press, L. B. Raymond & Co., editors and proprietors. James H. Wagner, real estate, tax paying and collec- tion Agent. G. R. BadorerDW, reni estate and'tax paying agent. Geo. W. McQueen, dealer in real estate. S. C. Hyde, real estate agent and surveyor. KOCK KAPIDS. Among the mnny Xortnw(?stern towns that have sprung into existence within the la^t two years, nono have ahown TOirXS AND MANUPACTUEING PACLLITIES. 37 more life and vi^ror than Rock Eapids, and Tone now offer superior inducements to cr.pitalists or immigrants. Located upon a beautiful table land at the junction of the Rock nnd Kanaranzi rivers, abounding in foliage from stately trees to tiny llowers, and williin the sound of water falls it is, indeed, a lovely town. Geographically' it is sitnated very near the iniddje of the county east and west, and tivc miles from its r.orthern boun- dary. It is also located on the line of the Rock Valley Rail- way, and will be the crossing of the Tvock Rapids and Sioux Falls Division of the JIcGregor and Missouri River Rail- road. Tri-weekly mail and stage lines also connect the town with Sibley, on the St. Paul Railway, with Doon, Le- Mars and Lsrchwood, Iowa, I.uvern, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, Dakota. An extensive region of country, embracing the northern part of Lyon County and a large district in ^Minnesota, is its natural tributary. But a surer foundation for the future greatness and permanence of Reck Rapids, stronger than all local advantages, are its exhaustless manufacturing facilities. Three first-class water powers are situated within one mile of the town. Their power is ample for milling and manu- facturing purposes. The banks of the stream and building sites are safe and substantial. An abundance of rock for tb.e construction of dams lies loose in the bed of the stream where it is needed for use. Rock Rapids contains a good hotel, several real estate offices, stores, shops, a newspaper, public hall and a fine school building. A church lias been organized, and steps are being taken to erect a house of worship, (.f'.her build- ings are also under coustrucinn, and an iron bridge is now being stretched across the Rock River opposite the town. Manv of the buildings nre fine strncturcs. The residence of C. H. Moon, the finest in the country, docs credit to so young a town. A visit to the garden of J. S. Smith, filled with plants, flowers and shrubbery of all kinds, wou'd sliow what mav be aceomplished in horticulture on our western soil. The grounds surrounding the residence of J. S. Tfow- ell, near town, would do credit to one of our eastern cities. They are regularly and tastefully laid out, with walks, drives, orchard3 and groves, the latter containing over t20,- 000 trees of many rare vario:iv\"5. A lar^e nursery is beiii^ planted near tov.-n. which wUl 38 niSTORT OF LYON COUNTT. be able to suppl}- the whole valley with all kinds of fruit and forest trees. The diirerent real estate firms of Rock Rapids are agents for the sale of more than 50,000 acres of adjoining fanning lands, for all of which settlers are earnestly desired. A flnur- ing mill is also urgently demanded and would richlv repav the in%-estment. With the development of the surrounding cotmtry other manufactures must spring up and Rock Rapids take an importance far beyond what its most hopeful citi- zens ever anticipated. We invite an examination of tho town and surrounding country or correspondence with any of the following named parties : The Rock Rapids Water Power Improvement, Millinar and Manufacturing Company; J. S. Howell, president; C. H Moon, vice-president; O. A. Cheney, secretary; D. C Whitehead, superintendent; T. K. Bradley, treasurer; .J. F. Eccleston, attorney. Van Sickle J3rothers, dealers r.i general merchandise and agricultural implements. T. K. Bradley, dealer in general merchandise. D. C. Whitehead, attorney at law and real estate agent. J. S . Howell, real estate broker and notary public. Mount Brothers, real estate, title and insurance agents. Smith & Monlux, dealers in agricultural implements. The Rock Rapids licview, O. A. Cheney editor and pro- prietor. J. F. Eccleston, attorney at law. Ethan Alien, real estate ag-^nt and surveyor. Rock Rapids Hotel, T. E. Convers, proprietor. Rock River Nurseries, D. E. Sweet, proprietor. LAKCnWOOD is situated in the northwestern part of the county, surround- ed by some of our best farmin;; lands. Tho place has a handsome location, on the Rock Rapids and Sioux Falls stage line, and expects to receive the Mclxrerror railroad. It is now the central point for a colony from Illinois, which is changrinG: this portion of the county from a wilderness to a fine farming ilistrict. One of the f)rincipal advantages of- fered at Lnrchwood is improved farms with artificial timber for settlers. The surroundinir vacant lands are owned by J. W. Fell, of Bloominn-ton, III., who is taking every pains to prepare thorn for eettlcment. Ten acres are broken on PRICES OP LAND. 89 each quarter section and planted to timber — principally European larch. The new comer may thus find lands ready for cultivation the first year and a grove of timber growing These lands are among the best in the county and the colo- ny is prosperous. For further information address J. W. Fell, Bloomington, 111., or J. F, Geiser, real estate agent. Larchwood, Lyon county, Iowa . THE COUNTY SEAT of Lyon has not yet been established, but the legal steps are now being taken for its location. PRICES OF LAND. There is room enough in Lyon county for 1,500 families with 160 acres of land each, which may be bought for 45.00 per acre, Tiie best lands in the county are otiered at S5.00 much at $-4.00, and we know of none for which more than §6.00 per acre is asked. Thousands in Northwestern Iowa are paying for these lands from the proceeds of the soil alone. Tlie new-comer arrives in the spring, which is the best time, puts up a temporary cabin and breaks up forty or fifty acres the first season, there being none of that laborious process of removing trees, stumps and stones. A part of this land may be planted to "'sod corn" the first year, yield- ing a good crop, lie then finds time to cut hay and pre- pare for winter. The next season this land is ready for wheat, and from this time on he finds no difficulty in making his annual paj-ments from the proceeds of this crop alone. A large share of our vacant lands are held by railroad compa- nies, which oftcr it upon long time and easy terms. Look at the payments upon the usual plan : 160 acre?, at ^5 per acre, cost $800 Paid at time of purchase 80 One year's interest on balance $50 40 End of first year 44 80 80 End ef second year 39 20 80 End of third year 33 60 SO End of fourth vear 28 00 80 End of fifth vear ?^2 40 80 End of sixthVear 17 80 SO End of seventh year 11 20 80 End of eighth year 5 60 80 End of ninth year ; 80 $252T0 ^ii^O Never, do we believe, were landless men offered such an opportunity to secure homes. UT 40 HISTOiY OJ U03r eOUNTT. CONCLUSION. " Westward the star of empire takes its way." Five years ago tlie land we occupy was a howling wilderness. Vast herds of butj'ulo roamed over our prairies, or came thundering down our green slopes, where the husbandman's flocks now graze in quiet. The huts of savages marked the sites of our flourishing villages. The aged man of New England can recollect when central New York constituted the west. Following down the aisles of time he will recall the period when the few enterprising men who decided to emigrate to the "far west," collected their household goods hitched their ox teams to their wagons, and started on a two months journey to Ohio. Their friends crowded around them to si)cak their sad farewells, little expecting they would ever be able to return. To-day, although a thousand miles further west, we are yet east of the middle of the United States, and still the couise is west, AVe can take the rail- road almost at our doors, and in three days reach the Atlan- tic or Pacific coast. Fiouri^h!ng comm.iiniiies, cilies, terri- tories and powerful slates have been established, among which the noble state of Iowa occupies a proud position. Blessed with favorable climate, personal liberty and ener- gy protected and encouraged by equal laws, great strides have been made in r.gi-icuUure, commerce, art, science and learning. Thousands of poor men from the Old AVorid and the New, have followed this march of progress up the rug- ged valley of pioneer life, to fortune and independence. Hundreds of thousands of young men have here begun life and grown up witli the country, sharing its wealth and pros- peritv. And yet there is room for millions more with op- por! unities etjual to those who have preceded them. In the region which it is hoped this little pamphlet will describe are hundrenhi. 'j. c. Iil/IH, Kfwrlck 17 tllitiUS, Hon. Chnrle;j 3 17 HKU'.OiJ, iir. — ly 13 IllCLJOH, llalvor I'-S 13, 18 Hi HiiLi'-Dll, II. 35 13 ii.:L;iGii, ois 12 2, 17, 35 Hr/:0il, Hor.ea 2 18 "OLD Toil" 8 2, 18, 37 OLLiiOH, iiov. Dllef 18 10, 11. 12 OLlC.SGH, H:.n;T J. 15 17, 36 PMcK;";, Kolun-t 17 ll4 I'aiji,;-;j:i, jamoLi M;T.;i(:'OII, I'elrlmi 13 10 .- IMllEX OF HISTOiaCAL SKICTCH OF LYON COUNTY, laiA PaKO 6' ' fiAYI-lOHi:), L. B. liTCi;, 11. D. ,iTC!',, Vj-a. H. 0. 36 m 13, 11», 15, 17, 36 -CHULTZ , Mr. --- ";'','7Kr::0!l, Amoy :;niTH, — sturii, J. s. Sfr.tl, Chris H. ?0li(';nS01!, Die Sl'KlOSY, MaLlhiar SWiL/iT, D. K. 17 15 38 17, 37 2, 13 15 lit, 15 38 T^LOn, Jamas I. THM|;PS0H, John THOlPi'.Ot;, JohiiF, THOH.SOM, — THUO -.nw. Thomas TOBIASOM, Simon TOPMAH, Anson ToiiH;:,-;r.OH,, o]o T();j:ili;Y, [ielos 17 17 17 19, 3a 2 15 . 19 18 lit, 15 VAtI AHTI.'KKP, Gov. '/orplank 5 '.AMI STCKLi;, ProLhers 38 V'AOtLSK, Jamns 11. VJAOHHR, John A. V;A(!lii:i{, Lyinan A, VIAOtU'P, Uilliam WAR Ltl, A. J. l/'lITt;, Dr, C, A. liHTTTItKAlJ, U. C. V/IITTKHKAD, Itrs. D. C. 2, 17, 36 15, 18 18 17 36 3, ?.2 2, 111, 15, 17, 38 1'?